Atlanta Fire Chief: We’re preparing for worst case scenario. Ice, power outages top Atlanta officials’ concerns for pending storm

Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran said ice and power outages top the city’s concerns about the upcoming winter storm, a massive system that promises a one-two punch of ice and snow (and more ice) in coming hours.

Speaking from Atlanta’s Joint Operations Center Tuesday, where members of Mayor Kasim Reed’s cabinet are gathering to triage storm response, Cochran said the city is preparing for the worst: power outages that could last as long as a week and affect hundreds of thousands of residents.

“We’re going to have huge challenges with downed trees and power lines,” Cochran said. “Some will be non-emergency and some will be life-threatening. We certainly expect that in the next 72 hours.”

The lead-time ahead of the storm has given the region a leg-up in preparation, he said. And indeed, city and state officials began preparing for the icy mix as early as Monday morning, more than 24 hours before dangerous precipitation was expected to begin.

Road crews, working 12-hour shifts, will hit the streets Tuesday afternoon as soon as rain gives way to icier precipitation, a process that will be repeated throughout the storm, he said. Forestry crews are also on-hand to clear trees that may fall into homes or roadways.

Atlanta officials are watching much of the storm from the operations center, where TV screens broadcast live video feeds from across the city.

Road crews are well-stocked on salt material, with 3,000 tons ready to go, said interim COO Michael Geisler. By comparison, the city alone used 1,500 tons to treat roads during the January storm that caused region-wide traffic gridlock.

“We are way ahead of the game,” Cochran said.

Atlanta has received requests from neighboring jurisdictions for salt materials and road crews, officials confirmed Tuesday, without specifying which local governments made the ask. State officials have not requested for assistance in treating roads or for salt materials.

“We are poised to support them to the extent we’re able to meet the needs of the citizens and businesses in Atlanta,” Cochran said, adding that the city is assisting MARTA and portions of Atlanta that fall within DeKalb County.

Atlanta officials will release more storm response information by 5 p.m. today, Reed spokesperson Anne Torres said, detailing just where Atlantans who lose power can seek shelter.

The city is preparing to open a swath of recreation centers, churches, fire and police stations to serve as temporary shelter. In addition to working with local hospitals, Atlanta officials are also preparing to open a special needs shelter for residents who require medical attention such as dialysis.